COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON: THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS CALLS FOR THE STATE TO INVEST MORE IN ITS UNIVERSITIES... ALSO TONIGHT, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT A NEW EFFORT TO IMPROVE DENTAL CARE SERVICES TO THOSE IN SENIOR CARE FACILITIES... AND HOW ADVANCED MAMMOGRAM TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP PATIENTS WITH DENSE-BREAST TISSUE.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE, NEXT, ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

FALLOUT OVER LAST NIGHT'S RALLY FOR DONALD TRUMP AT NEW YORK'S MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.

A NUMBER OF THE EVENT'S SPEAKERS DELIVERED RACIST AND VULGAR ATTACKS AGAINST THOSE PERCEIVED AS THE ENEMY FROM WITHIN, A PHRASE DONALD TRUMP HAS USED AND USED AGAIN LAST NIGHT.

>> IT'S A FLOATING ISLAND OF GARBAGED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK IT'S CALLED PUERTO RICO.

>> WHAT A SICK SON OF A [BLEEP]!

THE WHOLE [BLEEP] A BUNCH OF DEGENERAL RANTS.

>> CAN YOU IMAGE KAMALA/HARRIS PERFORMING A KIND GENEROUS ACT?

SHE IS THE ANTI-CHRIST.

>> HER AND HER PANHANDLERS WILL DESTROY OUR COUNTRY.

WE NEED TO SLAUGHTER THIS OTHER PEOPLE.

>> THEY'RE SMART AND THEY'RE VICIOUS AND WE HAVE TO DEFEAT THEM, AND WHEN I SAY THE ENEMIES ARE WITHIN, THE OTHER SIDE GOES CRAZY.

THEY ARE INDEED THE ENEMY FROM WITHIN.

>> NOW, SUCH RHETORIC CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF A DEMOCRATIC TICKET WITH KAMALA HARRIS NOTING THAT SHE RECEIVED THE SUPPORT OF SOME HIGH-PROFILE PUERTO RICAN ENTERTAINERS AFTER WHAT WAS HEARD LAST NIGHT.

>> THESE ARE SUPPORTING IT BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WANT A PRESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES THAT'S ABOUT UPLIFTING THE PEOPLE AND NOT BERATING, NOT CALLING AMERICA A GARBAGE CHANT.

>> HE ONLY KNOWS ONE WAY TO BE A BULLY, AND THAT'S WHAT HE THINKS STRENGTH IS PUSHING DOWN ON PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS THAN HIM, GETTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO STANDING UP TO THE BULLY, PUT THEM IN HIS PLACE.

>> OTHER HEADLINES, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF PHILADELPHIA FILED A LAWSUIT TODAY AGAINST ELON MUSK MUSK'S MILLION DOLLAR LOTTERY SWEEPSTAKES.

THIS IS OF NOTE BECAUSE MUSK AND HIS PRO-TRUMP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE ARE OFFERING THE DAILY MILLION DOLLAR GIVEWAY TO REGISTERED VOTERS IN ARIZONA, TOO ALONG WITH PENNSYLVANIA, MICHIGAN, GEORGIA, NEVADA AND NORTH CAROLINA, ALL SWING STATES.

THE PHILADELPHIA DA CALLED THE SWEEPSTAKES AN ILLEGAL LOTTERY SCHEME THAT VIOLATES STATE LOTTERY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS.

THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK WARNED MUSK THAT THE GIVEWAY MAY VIOLATE FEDERAL PROTECTION LAWS.

HEALTH NOTE: THE AMERICAN STROKE ASSOCIATION HAS UPDATED ITS GUIDELINES TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF A FIRST-TIME STROKE.

IT'S THE FIRST SUCH UPDATE IN TEN YEARS, AND IT CALLS FOR REGULAR EXERCISE AND FOLLOWING A HEALTHY DIET, SPECIFICALLY THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET.

BUT THE GUIDELINES ALSO STATE THAT WEIGHT-LOSS AND DIABETES DRUGS CAN DECREASE STROKE IN THOSE WITH DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE.

AND WOMEN ARE URGED TO MONITOR THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE IF THEY'RE PREGNANT OR TAKING BIRTH CONTROL.

THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS RECENTLY PUT IN A FORMAL REQUEST FOR $732 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING FOR UNIVERSITIES.

THIS COMES AFTER THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS REDUCED ARIZONA'S INVESTMENT IN THE STATE'S UNIVERSITIES BY ALMOST $97 MILLION TO HELP SHORE UP A STATE DEFICIT.

FOR MORE ON THIS, WE WELCOME FRED DUVAL, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

HE ALSO SERVES AS THE BOARD'S TREASURER.

SINCE 15, 20 YEARS, ARIZONA HIGHER EDUCATION HAS BEEN CUT MORE THAN ANY OTHER HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES, NUMBER 1.

HOW DO WE MEASURE THAT.

WE TOPPED OUT AT ABOUT 33% 30%, TODAY IT'S 12, NOW ON A PER STUDENT BASES WE'RE OPERATING AT HALF THE INVESTMENT THAN WE WERE 15 YEARS AGO.

SERIOUS CUTS OVER MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

WHAT DO YOU DO?

NUMBER 1, YOU CUT COSTS, AND WE ARE NOW THE MOST EFFICIENT PRODUCERS OF DEGREES OF ALL OF OUR PEERS.

NUMBER 2, YOU RAISE TUITION TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

AND WE'VE HAD TO DO THAT.

WE TRY TO CAP IT BUT WE'VE HAD TO DO THAT.

YOU DEFER MAINTENANCE, RIGHT UP TO THE POINT THAT BUILDINGS BECOME UNSAFE AND GO OUT OF STATE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.

AND TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ARIZONA COLLEGE HISTORY THERE ARE MORE OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> AND YET, YOU MENTION SINCE THE GREAT RECESSION THERE HAVE BEEN BUDGET PROBLEMS SINCE THE GREAT RECESSION, OBVIOUSLY THAT YOU DON'T JUST CUT FOR THE SAKE OF CUTTING.

I KNOW SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO DO, THAT BUT THERE'S A REASON FOR THE CUTTING AND IT IS TO BALANCE A STATE BUDGET THAT'S CONSTANTLY -- WELL, NOT CONSTANTLY, I SHOULD SAY THERE'S A COUPLE OF YEARS WHERE HAVE YOU SOME SURPLUSES BUT WHEN YOU SEEMINGLY GOTTA DO IT, YOU SAY... >> WE'VE BEEN CUT IN -- WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ECONOMY GROWING.

IT'S TAKEN US MANY YEARS TO GET HERE AND WILL TAKE US A NUMBER OF YEARS TO GET OUT.

WE DECIDED TO START BY EXPRESS WHAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO DO A JOB THAT THE VOTERS AND TAXPAYERS AND CITIZENS OF ARIZONA HAS ASKED US TO DOS.

>> IMAGINE BEING THE PARENTS OF STUDENTS OF 1,000 CLASSROOMS THIS FALL WHO SHOWED UP AND DIDN'T HAVE A CREDENTIALED TEACHER.

IMAGINE GOING HOME TELLING THEIR PARENTS, ME, A KID IN THE K-12 SYSTEM, I'M GOING TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THESE POLICY PRIORITIES BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TEACHERS.

WE HAVE 1,000 TEACHERS ON THE WAIT LIST IN ARIZONA TEACHERS ACADEMY.

WE CAN SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

DOCTORS, TRIED TO GET A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT RECENTLY?

I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A DOCTOR ON THE SHOW LATER.

IT'S TOUGH.

I MADE ONE AND IT TOOK FIVE MONTHS.

IT'S AN INCONVENIENCE FOR MANY OF US, BUT I TAKE CARE OF MY PARENTS, MY AGING PARENTS.

FIVE MONTHS IS LIFE AND DEATH.

WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH DOCTORS.

47th IN THE COUNTRY IN THE NUMBER OF DOCTORS PER 1,000 CITIZENS.

WE NEED MORE DOCTORS.

WE SET UP NEW MEDICAL SCHOOLS AT AT ASU AND NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, IT NEEDS STATE FUNDING.

WE CAN'T DO IT ON TUITION.

GONNA REQUIRE STATE FUNDING.

ENGINEERS, SEMICONDUCTORS, INTEL, THEY'RE SAYING WE CAN TAKE EVERY ENGINEER YOU CAN PRODUCE TO GROW THE NEW ARIZONA COLONY, WE'RE NOT KEEPING UP WITH THEM, THEY'RE HAVING TO RECRUIT FROM OUT OF STATE.

THESE ARE THINGS YOU CAN SOLVE IF YOU HAVE A WILLING PARTNER.

WHY HAS THE LEGISLATURE NOT BEEN A WILLING PARTNER AND TO A CERTAIN DEGREE THE GOVERNOR, THIS LAST GO-AROUND?

>> WELL, YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, SOME THIS IS MATH.

OVER TWO DECADES ARIZONA AUTO ERODED ITS REVENUE STREAM.

THAT'S A BIG PIECE OF THAT.

SO THAT IT BECOMES IN MANY YEARS.

>> REAL QUICKLY... >> HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT IS THAT?

>> IT'S AN IMPACT.

OVER 20 YEARS THERE'S PROBABLY I WOULD SAY 18 OR 19 OF THOSE YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN TAX REDUCTIONS.

SO WE HAVE ERODED THE REVENUE SIDE, WHICH HAS MADE IN VERY DIFFICULT.

SECONDLY, I'M FOND OF A PHRASE THAT A REYNOLD OF MINE USES, STATE GOVERNMENTS EDUCATE, MEDICATE AND INCARCERATE.

PICK TWO.

AND WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THAT INCARCERATION RATES HAVE GONE WAY UP, MEDICAID RATES HAVE GONE WAY UP.

K-12 GETS PRIORITY.

FOLKS SAY, WELL, YOU CAN TUITION YOUR WAY OUT OF THIS.

WE'RE AT THE BREAKING POINT.

TUITION IS PRICING TOO MANY KIDS OUT OF THE MARKET.

OUR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE IS CAUSING REAL PROBLEMS IN THE SYSTEM AND WE'VE GOTTA QUIT WITH OUR OUTOF STATE STUDENTS AND FOCUS ON INSTATE.

>> HOW DO YOU CONVINCE ME THAT INCARCERATION, YEAH, I GOUW, MEDICAID -- WE GOTTA GET THE THIRD WEAL GOING HERE BECAUSE IT IMPACTS SOCIETY, NOT JUST STUDENTS, NOT JUST THE UNIVERSITY AND THOUSAND FUNCTIONS, BUT IT IMPACTS ARIZONA'S SOCIETY.

HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT POINT?

>> I TALK ABOUT THE TEACHERS.

>> YES.

>> I TALK ABOUT THE ENGINEERS DRIVING THE ECONOMY.

I TALK ABOUT DOCTORS THAT EVERY ARIZONAN UNDERSTANDS.

THOSE ARE WORKFORCE TALENT WHICH WE PRODUCE, AND WE CAN ONLY PRODUCE IF WE CAN AFFORD TO DO IT.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THAT.

THE 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY, HIGH-WAGE ECONOMIC GROWTH IS A FUNCTION OF KNOWLEDGE.

IT'S A FUNCTION OF TALENT.

THE MORE WE CAN PRODUCE, THE FASTER WE WILL GROW, THE FASTER WE GROW, THE MORE WE WILL INCREASE INCOMES, THE BETTER THE FAMILY'S PROSPECTS AND IT BREAKS MY HEART EVERY TIME I GET A REALLY BRIGHT STUDENT WHO SIMPLY CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THEIR STUDENT INTO OUR SYSTEM, FINANCE IT, GET THEM TO THE GOAL LINE.

WE SHOULD DO BETTER.

>> SO THE BUDGET REQUESTS, HELP FOR THOSE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, I WOULD IMAGINE, THERE.

HELP FOR EACH UNIVERSITY AND A SPECIALIZED TRADES THAT THEY KIND OF EMPHASIZE, THAT'S ALL THERE, AS WELL?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE THINGS I JUST ARTICULATED.

FIRST ONE, A PROMISE PROGRAM.

36 STATES HAVE A STATE FINANCIAL AID PLAN WHERE IF YOU'VE GOT A WORTHY STUDENT WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO COME, THE STATE WILL PROVIDE SOME HELP, KNOWING THAT THAT STUDENT WILL PROVIDE JOBS AND GROW AND BECOME A TAX PAIR FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

WE WANT TO GROW THESE MEDICAL SCHOOLS.

YOU WANT MORE DOCTORS TO MAKE SURE EVERY ARIZONAN HAS ACCESS TO A GOOD HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE.

WE WANT MORE ENGINEERS, SO THAT THIS NEW ECONOMY CAN TAKE ROOT.

2023 VERY SPECIFIC THINGS THAT ARE IN OUR BUDGET.

>> CAPITAL FUNDING, MAINTENANCE, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, BUT THEY'RE INVOLVED, AS WELL.

HOW HAVE THEY BEEN IMPACTED BY BUDGET CUTS IN THE PAST, THIS MOST RECENT ONE, AND WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AS FAR AS YOUR BUDGET IS CONCERNED.

>> SURE.

IT'S A BIG PIECE OF THIS BECAUSE THERE IS ACTUALLY A STATUTORY FORMULA WHERE THE STATE BY LAW IS REQUIRED TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

HASN'T BEEN FUNDED FOR TWO DECADES.

WE'RE DOING IT OFF THE BACKS OF ARIZONA STUDENTS AND ARIZONA FAMILIES.

THAT'S JUST WRONG.

TWO PROBLEMS.

ONE IS THAT YOU'VE GOT BUILDINGS WHICH ARE IN DECLINE, INCLUDING SAFETY RISKS AND TWO, THAT THE MODALITIES OF LEARNING REQUIRE DIFFERENT KINDS OF TECHNOLOGY, DIFFERENT KINDS OF CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES, AND YOU'VE GOTTA STAY UP TO SPEED ON THAT IF YOU'RE GOING TO CREATE THE KIND OF EDUCATIONAL STUDENTS WE WANT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> LAST QUESTION HERE, AND THIS IS MORE PHILOSOPHICAL I GUESS THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

BUT EXPLAIN WHY SO MANY LAWMAKERS WENT TO ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY OR TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, NAU, ENJOYED THEIR EXPERIENCE THERE, MANY OF THEM WENT TO LAW SCHOOL, AND YET THEY ARE CUTTING, CUTTING, CUTTING?

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

WHAT -- HOW DO YOU -- I'M TRYING TO GET AN EXPLANATION.

WHAT DO THINK TELL NEW BECAUSE WE KEEP HEARING THERE'S A BUDGET DEFICIT, WE GOTTA CUT SOMEWHERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS KIND OF FORMALIZED.

THIS IS A WILDCARD HERE.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO I IMAGINE HAD GOOD EDUCATION, ENJOYED THEIR EXPERIENCE UNIVERSITIES AND YET THEY ARE WILLING TO MAKE -- THEY SEEM TO THINK THAT THE UNIVERSITIES WILL SURVIVE.

ARE THEY WRONG?

>> WELL, I'M GONNA ASK TO YOU ASK THEM THAT WHEN HAVE YOU THEM ON YOUR SHOW.

>> I WILL.

>> I TRULY DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THEM.

BUT THE IRON IS THEY COULD HAVE GOTTEN SOME FORM OF AID OR SOMETHING THAT HELPED THEM GET THEIR DEGREE AND THE CONSEQUENCES THAT COME AROUND THAT.

THOSE THAT HAVE DEGREES TYPICALLY LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES, TYPICALLY MAKE MORE MONEY, TYPICALLY ENGAGE MORE IN THEIR CIVIC LIFE AND THEIR BE COMMUNITY, BUT GROTE ECONOMY.

THE CORRELATION, COLORADO, WASHINGTON, AND ARIZONA, ABOUT THE SAME SIZE POPULATION 20 YEARS AGO.

COLORADO AND WASHINGTON A SUSTAINED COMMITMENT TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

THEIR DEGREE PERFORMANCE NOW IS ABOUT 20% HIGHER, AND THEIR INCOMES ARE ABOUT 20% HIGHER.

THE CORRELATION IS ABSOLUTELY THERE.

AND IT IS TIME FOR US -- AND I WOULD MAKE THE DIES THESE LEGISLATORS, TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE, IN OUR FAMILIES, IN OUR KIDS AND IN THE TALENT THAT EXIST IN AZ SOOZ THAT OUR KIDS AND OUR GRANDKIDS CAN HAVE THE FUTURE WE WANT FOR THEM AND A HEALTHY FUTURE WITH DOCTORS AND ALL OF THE CHOICES THAT THEY OUGHTA HAVE IN ORDER TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN.

>> FRED DUVALL, BOARD OF REG EQUITIES, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>>> A TEAM OF LOCAL DENTAL PROVIDERS IS OFFERING DENTAL HOUSE CALLS.

TO THOSE LIVING IN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES AND CARE FACILITIES.

IT'S A WAY OF PROVIDING ALL- IMPORTANT DENTAL CARE TO PATIENTS WHO HAVE TROUBLE GETTING TO A DENTIST.

WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AS PART OF OUR MONTHLY AARP-SPONSORED SEGMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS ISSUES IMPORTANT TO OLDER ADULTS.

JOINING US NOW IS DR. DAVIS HENNING WITH CORONADO DENTAL WHICH PROVIDES MOBIL DENTAL-CARE SERVICE.

>> DENTAL HOUSE CALLS FOR SENIORS.

WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

>> TALKING ABOUT BRINGING CARE TO THE FACILITY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PATIENTS THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO CARE TO GET TO A TRADITIONAL DENTAL PRACTICE.

A LOT OF TIMES WE SEE THE FALL-OFF ONCE WE ENTER INTO THE LONG-TERM CARE SETTING WHERE THEY NO LONGER RETURN TO THEIR PRIVATE PRACTICES.

OR THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN GOING TO.

AND ONCE THEY ARRIVE, THEY TEND TO GET ENROLLED IN BENEFITS, MEDICARE, MEDICAID THAT FOR SOME MAY BE THEIR FIRST CHANCE TO ACCESS DENTAL CARE IN A WHILE, AND FOR OTHERS, THEY NEED SOMEBODY TO COME SEE THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RETURN.

SO FOR US, WE BRING IT TO THEM.

>> YEAH.

SO AS FAR AS A DENTAL SERVICE PROVIDED, FIRST OF ALL, HOW DOES IT WORK?

DO YOU ROLL STUFF IN THERE?

I MEAN, I'VE SEEN IT DONE IN A DENTIST OFFICE.

THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON IN THERE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE PICTURE A BIG MOBILE VAN.

BUT THERE'S CHALLENGES WITH THAT TRYING TO REMOVE THE PATIENT FROM THE SETTING IN THEIR LONG-TERM CARE SPACE, BRING THEM IN FROM A HOSPITAL BED, TRANSFER ISSUES, GETTING THEM OUTSIDE OF THEIR PROTECTION AND ALL OF THE STAFF AND MEDICAL PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE.

WE GO TO THEIR BEDSIDE.

WE DO ROLL THINGS IN.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, BUCKETS, STACKABLES, THAT ARE SPECIALIZED TO LET US CARRY IT, AND TECHNOLOGY'S COME A LONG WAY AND BEING ABLE TO DO IT.

WE'RE USING DIGITAL SENSORS WITH -- THAT LOOK LIKE CAMERAS THAT ARE TAKING THE RADIOGRAPHS, WE'RE CONNECTED TO WI-FI THROUGH MY PHI MOBILE JET PACKS AND ALL OF IT IS D HR.

>> SO WHEN YOU SAY RADIO GRIEF, THAT'S A FANCY WAY OF SAYING X-RAY AS SOON AS.

>> YES.

RADIOGRAPHY.

>> YEAH.

>> AND IF A CAVITY IS FOUND OR A ROOT CANAL, DO YOU DO THAT THERE OR DO THEY HAVE TO GO TO A SPECIAL PLACE FOR THAT?

>> SO WE TRY TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN ON SITE.

WE'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSPORT AND THE TEDIOUSNESS OF THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF MEDICAL THINGS THAT CAN GET IN THE WAY.

THERE'S LOGISTICAL ISSUES.

THERE'S TRANSPORT ISSUES.

TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN ON SITE, YES.

WHAT CAN WE DO ON SITE?

JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO IN THE PRACTICE.

>> WOW.

ISN'T THAT INTERESTING.

AND YOU CAN ALSO IMAGINE A -- I MEAN, YOU GET TO KNOW THESE FOLK.

THEY'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND THEM, AND IF THEY NEED THE HELP, YOU CAN COME -- GO GET THEM, I GUESS.

>> THAT'S IT.

SO I THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS SERVICE, LET THEM KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE FOR THEM, MAKING AWARE THAT WHEN YOU ONBOO IN ORDER A FACILITY, THAT YOU SHOULD BE SEEN -- WHEN YOU ONBOARD INTO A FACILITY, THAT YOU SHOULD BE SEEN BY A DENTIST.

WE'RE DOWN IN TUCSON, WE'RE ACROSS THE WHOLE VALLEY.

WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEEDS, NOT JUST WHEN YOU NEED THE FILLING OR ROOT CANAL BUT PREVENTATIVELY AND TRYING TO MITIGATE THE RISKS OF MAJOR INCIDENTS OCCURRING WHICH CAN LEAD TO PAIN, INFECTION, HOSPITALIZATION, SO I SAY DEFINITELY WE'RE NOT HERE TO DO SCOTTSDALE DENTISTRY, FULL MOUTH REHAB.

WE ARE HERE TO TAKE CARE OF PATIENTS.

WE'RE TRYING TO RESTORE FUNCTION AND NUMBER 1 ABOVE ALL ELSE IS PATIENT DIGNITY.

IT'S A MATTER OF GETTING THE WORD OUT, LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE, WE WILL COME SEE YOU.

WE'RE IN ASSISTED LIVING, MEMORY CAKE THE LONG-TERM CARE SPACE WITH SKILLED AND LONG-TERM COMPONENTS, AND THE BENEFITS ARE STARTING TO PROVE.

ARIZONA HAS ALWAYS HAD A GREAT BENEFIT STRUCTURE WITH MEDICAID.

THERE'S A GOOD BIT THAT WE CAN GET DONE THROUGH THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS ARE ACTUALLY BECOMING QUITE COMPETITIVE AND PROVIDING GREAT ACCESS TO CARE.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK HOW INSURANCE PLAYS INTO ALL THIS.

>> LAST QUESTION HERE IS -- IS, HOW MANY VISITS CAN DO YOU A DAY, A?

AND, B, AT A DENTAL OFFICE, BASICALLY YOU'VE GOT YOUR BASIC -- IS IT THE SAME KIND OF THING ON THE ROAD OR, CAN YOU JUST -- I MEAN, YOU FIND OUT THAT SOMEONE DOWN THE HALL NEEDS SOME HELP, YOU CAN JUST GO DOWN THE HALL AND HELP THEM WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT?

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> YEAH, I'M HAPPY TO POP IN.

THERE'S NOT, THOUGH.

A LITTLE BIT MORE BUREAUCRACY INVOLVED IN TRYING TO NAVIGATE THE DIFFERENT PATIENT REPRESENTATIVES, THE POWER OF ATTORNEYS, RESPONSIBLE PARTIES, AND THERE'S A PROCESS FOR THAT.

MY GOAL IS THAT NOBODY'S IN PAIN OR HURTING.

SO IF WE FIND OUT THAT'S HAPPENING, OUR TEAM IS EXPEDITING THAT, AND WE'RE GETTING IT IN.

AS FAR AS THE SCHEDULE COMPARED TO A REGULAR DENTAL PRACTICE, IT'S FAIRLY SIMILAR.

I THINK THERE'S CERTAIN PROCEDURES THAT DO TAKE LONGER TO SET UP BUT WE HAVE A GOOD FEEL FOR WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND DIFFERENT DAYS, DEPENDING ON THE PROCEDURES, WILL VARY.

BUT IT'S -- THE PRIMARY NATURE OF THIS IS TO ELIMINATE PAIN, INFECTION AND MAJOR PROBLEMS.

SO DENTAL EMERGENCIES ARE A HUGE PART BEHALF WE DO.

AND WE ALWAYS HAVE SPACE TO TRY TO GET IN BETWEEN THE THREE DOCS THAT ARE CONTROLLING ESSENTIALLY THE VALLEY.

WE'RE ABLE TO GET GET OUT WITHIN 48 HOURS.

>> IT MUST BE VERY REWARDING.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS.

DOCTOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> REGULAR MAMMOGRAMS CAN BE EFFECTIVE THEY AFFECTING DENSE CANCER BUT FOR WOMEN WITH DENSE BREAST TISSUE MORE TECHNOLOGY MIGHT BE NEEDED TO DETECT ABNORMALITIES.

TO LEARN MORE, WE WELCOME DR. BAHVEEKA PATELL, CHAIR OF RADIOLOGY RESEARCH AT MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA.

>>> DEFINE DENSE BREAST TISSUE.

>> IT'S PRETTY MUCH THE FIBROUS ELEMENTS THAT MAKE UP A WOMAN'S BREAST.

ONLY SEEN ON IMAGING.

IT'S A WAY FOR RADIOLOGISTS TO GRADE WHAT THEIR BREAST TISSUE LOOKS LIKE.

AND ULTIMATELY, DENSE BREAST TISSUE IS VERY NORMAL.

50% OF WOMEN HAVE DENSE BREAST TISSUE.

>> OKAY, BUT IT ALSO MEANS A HIGHER RISK OF BREAST CANCER, TRUE?

>> TRUE.

SO MOST RECENTLY ON THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION HAS REQUIRED AND MADE A RECORDING THAT AS A WOMAN -- IF YOU HAVE DENSE BREAST TISSUE YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED THAT YOU HAVE DENSE BREAST TISSUE SO WOMEN WHO GET STANDARD MAMMOGRAMS WILL NOW BE RECEIVING A NOTIFICATION.

IN THE REPORT, SO ON THE MAMMOGRAM REPORT, IT WILL STATE THAT THEY HAVE DENSE BREAST TISSUE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE WOMAN?

IT MEANS THAT YOU'RE A PART OF 50% OF WOMEN, 1 IN 2 WOMEN, THAT HAVE DENSE BREAST TISSUE.

AND THE REASON WE ARE INFORMING WOMEN OF THIS IS TWOFOLD, SO JUST LIKE YOU MENTIONED, NUMBER 1, HAVING DENSE BREAST TISSUE DOES INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING BREAST CANCER.

AND NUMBER 2, IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR US AS IMAGERS TO FIND THE BREAST CANCER.

>> AND THEN COMES THE SUPPLEMENTAL IMAGING, THIS NEW ENHANCED MAMMOGRAPHY.

WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

>> SO FOR WOMEN THAT HAVE DENSE BREAST TISSUE, THIS HE HAVE MANY OPTIONS.

FIRST, WE RECOMMEND THAT THE WOMAN SPEAK WITH THEIR PROVIDER ABOUT DIFFERENT IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES.

SO THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO.

CONTRAST ENHANCED MAMMOGRAPHY IS ONE OPTION THAT WOMEN CAN POTENTIALLY TALK ABOUT.

BUT ULTIMATELY, THE POINT FROM THE DENSE BREAST LEGISLATION IS FOR WOMEN TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE DENSE BREAST TISSUE AND TALK TO THEIR PROVIDERS ABOUT DIFFERENT OPTIONS IN THE SCREENING SETTING.

SO WE THINK ABOUT VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN, THINGS LIKE MAGNETIC RESONATE IMAGING IS ONE.

MRI, ANOTHER IS ULTIMATE TRACK SOUND IMAGING.

ANOTHER IS STANDARD DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY WHICH THERMO SYNTHESIS, AND WE THINK ABOUT MOLECULAR BREAST IMAGES.

THESE ARE ALL DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE FOR WOMEN.

OUR TEAM AT MAYO CLINIC HAS BEEN DOING SOME STUDY AND RESEARCH AS OF LATE TO CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT MAMMOGRAPHY.

>> IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH IF YOU HAVE A MAMMOGRAPHY THAT'S NEGATIVE, YOU GO THROUGH THIS SUPPLEMENTAL SCREENING OR -- IS IT A SCREENING OR DIAGNOSTIC TOOL OR BOTH?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

ULTIMATELY, TED, WE HAVE USED CONTRASTING MAMMOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSTIC SETTING FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS IN ARIZONA NOW.

AND ULTIMATELY WE'RE USING IT FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNOLOGY.

SO WE HAVE SEEN IT BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN WOMEN THAT ARE NEWLY DIAGNOSE -- NEWLY DIAGNOSED FOR BREAST CANCER.

WE'VE SEEN IT HELPFUL FOR WOMEN WITH PROBLEM SOLVING TOOLS OR ACTUAL PROBLEMS THAT THEY COME IN WITH.

THAT'S A DIAGNOSTIC SETTING.

BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SUCH GOOD USE CASES OF IT, IN OUR DIAGNOSTIC SETTING, OUR TEAM AT MAYO CLINIC DECIDED LET'S STUDY THIS IN THE SCREENING SETTINGS.

SO WE DID A SMALL RESEARCH TRIAL.

WE INCORPORATED WITH HIM THAT HAD NEGATIVE STANDARD MAMMOGRAMS.

THESE ARE WOMEN THAT WERE COMING IN ANNUALLY.

FOR THEIR SCREENING AND THEY HAD A NEGATIVE MAMMOGRAM.

WE INVITED THEM TO COME BACK, WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THEIR NEGATIVE MAMMOGRAM, FOR AN ADDITIONAL CONTRAST ENHANCED STUDY.

IN THAT STUDY WE HAD 461 PATIENTS THAT CAME IN AND FOUND 14 ADDITIONAL CANCER THAT WERE NOT SEEN WITH STANDARD IMAGING.

>> WOW.

>> SO WE WERE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE RESULTS IN THE SENSE THAT IS THIS ANOTHER TOOL IN OUR TOOL BELT TO HELP WOMEN THAT MAY NOT BE GETTING SUPPLEMENTAL IMAGING WITH OTHER TECHNOLOGIES.

>> IS IT A TOOL IN THE TOOL BOX THAT MEDICARE, THAT INSURANCE WILL COVER?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THAT IS ONE THAT WE NEED TO -- OUR TEAM AND OTHER TEAMS ACROSS THE NATION ARE DOING STUDIES TO SORT OUT, NUMBER 1, DOES IT WORK AND IN WHAT PATIENTS DOES IT WORK IN, AND HOW DO WE GET IT REIMBURSED?

SO CURRENTLY IT IS NOT FDA APPROVED FOR SCREENING.

IT IS FOR DIAGNOSTIC USE.

THE MORE STUDIES THAT COME OUT WITH LARGER PATIENT POPULATIONS SHOWING THE SAME BENEFIT OR ADD VALUE, THE MORE HOPEFUL WE ARE THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY WOULD POTENTIALLY BE APPROVED AND -- FOR INSURANCE PURPOSE IN THE SCREENING SETTING AS WELL.

>> AND WE GOTTA GET GOING BUT QUICKLY, ARE YOU ENCOURAGED BY THIS?

>> INCREDIBLY ENCOURAGED.

NUMBER 1, IT IS GREAT NEWS FOR WOMEN THAT WE ARE BEING REQUIRED TO INFORM WOMEN OF BREAST DENSITY.

SO IF NOTHING ELSE, LEARN ABOUT YOUR BREAST DENSITY.

MAKE SURE YOU ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF, AND SORT OUT WHAT SORT OF DIFFERENT IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

VERY ENCOURAGING.

>> VERY EXCITING.

>> DOCTOR, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANKS FOR SHARING THAT INFORMATION.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.